Former Harding Interim Head of School Jack Stanford Dies

[ed--Jack Stanford served as interim head for Harding Academy during both the 1996-97 school year (culminating in the hire of Don Schwartz), and the latter half of the 2005-06 school year (culminating in the hire of current Head of School Ian Craig).] The following is adapted from The Baylor School notification to its alumni on the passing of Jack Stanford on the morning of December 7, 2012.

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Jack Stanford, a beloved and legendary member of the Baylor family, has died.

Jack had been in the hospital since Monday for a planned heart procedure that, by all accounts, had gone well. So, it was all the more unexpected to learn of his passing early this morning.

After graduating from the University of Chattanooga, he worked briefly for a manufacturing company, but after several months he decided he wanted to teach. In 1953 he was hired by Dr. Herb Barks, Sr., and for the next 19 years, his career would span the economics and science classrooms, basketball court, football field, dormitories, administrative offices, and summer camps at Baylor. 

Jack and his wife, Jody, embraced the adventure of living on campus with approximately 200 adolescents while also raising their two daughters, Lisa Stanford and SusanBeth Stanford Purifico. 

Jack also held several administrative positions, ultimately becoming Associate Headmaster in 1964. He left Baylor in 1972 to become headmaster at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis. Seven years later he was named headmaster at Hutchison School in Memphis where he remained until his retirement in 1995. He was elected to the Baylor Board of Trustees in 2005, and he retired from the board in 2011.

Jack and Jody were married for 59 years, and Jody has an extensive support group of friends from her high school days and church in Chattanooga. Her daughters and their families will be traveling today [ed--December 7, 2012] to be with her.

The school will be updating the website with funeral arrangements and other details as we learn of them. If you would like to share your memories and condolences with Jack’s family, you may email pr@baylorschool.org and we will make sure that they are passed along. Click here for more information and photos.

Scott Wilson '75
Headmaster